Meet Dr. Duis
My Approach
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with specialized pre-and post-doctoral training in Neuropsychology from Brown and Harvard Universities. I obtained my Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati in 2001. My training provided a strong background in complex assessment of children, adolescents and young adults in a variety of settings. I have extensive experience and in inpatient/outpatient hospitals, therapeutic schools, psychiatric and neurology clinics, university learning centers, and private practices.
Educational + Training Journey
Summary:
· Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology at Southern Illinois University
· Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Neuropsychology from APA accredited University of Cincinnati
· APA-accredited Internship at Brown University Consortium
· Postdoctoral year long training Harvard University affiliated hospitals Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital
· Postdoctoral year long training at Children’s Hospital in Atlanta
· Private practice in Atlanta, Georgia
· Private practice, Walnut Creek California
· Trails to Success Psychological Services Social Skills Ranch Program
· Private practice Santa Ynez, California
Educational Journey
Dr. Duis received her Master’s in Clinical Psychology at Southern Illinois University. She then worked for two years within the inpatient Brain Rehabilitation Program at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, where she worked as a technician administering assessment batteries to inpatients on the trauma unit. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the APA-accredited University of Cincinnati where she gained neuropsychological assessment experience within Children’s Hospital Outpatient Assessment Clinic, Drake Rehabilitation Hospital, the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Behavioral Neurology Clinic, and the inpatient at the VA Hospital. Her dissertation research focused on the understanding the neuropsychogical profiles of Bipolar Disorder during Mania.
Training Institutions
Dr. Duis completed an APA-accredited clinical neuropsychology internship at the Brown University Consortium (2000) where she received specialized training in inpatient psychiatry, therapeutic schools, and the outpatient neuropsychological assessment.
She received her postdoctoral training at several renowned training institutions, the first of which was Harvard University at Bringham and Women’s Hospital where she conducted in vivo assessment during neurosurgical procedures, assessed clients in an outpatient Behavioral Neurology Clinic and Concussion Center. She also trained at Massachusetts General Hospital within the Pediatric NeuroAssessment Program and Autism Assessment Clinic.
Dr. Duis went on to complete a second specialized pediatric neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Atlanta where her training involved inpatient and outpatient experience across the 1) Outpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation, 2) Child Assessment Clinic and, 3) Inpatient Acute Program.
Professional Experience and Roles
Dr. Duis found her niche specialty 20 years ago when she went into private practice in Atlanta, and then in the Bay Area. She focused on providing comprehensive assessments that emphasized existing strengths, while analyzing and identifying areas of struggle that help parents “put the pieces of the puzzle” together to understand their child. Her unique specialized training in understanding brain anatomy and behavior allowed her to empower parents with individualized tools that supported them academically, emotionally, and socially going forward. She obtained additional training and expertise in the areas of positive psychology, emotional resilience, and executive functioning and used her knowledge to provide Parent Training Workshops, in services to private schools, and staff teacher training and education.
Dr. Duis used her specialized training in emotional and social development to found the Trails to Success Social Skills program in Orinda, California. She partnered with other neuropsychologists and specialists to create a specifically designed curriculum to enhance skills. The unique program used a “real world” fun ranch setting to invisibly weave in the learning during summer camp and ongoing after-school programs. There, children felt accepted and experienced a sense of belongingness perhaps for the first time in their lives. The campers worked on teamwork while riding horses, taking care of ranch animals, exploring art, playing games, and discovering nature.
Work Passion
I feel honored and blessed to be able to use my skills and training to empower children and young adults. Every child deserves to feel understood, accepted and supported in life. We all want to be able to feel happy, confident and successful. I am passionate about doing all I can to play a positive role in the lives of the children and parents I see. I believe wholeheartedly that my assessments provide you with the in-depth information that is often lacking in other approaches. I spend the time it takes in order for it to take you less time and energy along your Trail to Success. My greatest joy is hearing that children and parents I’ve assessed have found the knowledge we gained invaluable in promoting their success both in school and at home.
Life Outside Work
I prioritize spending time with friends and family, riding and showing my horse Ole Rey and engaging in gardening and other outdoor activities. You can also find me playing various sports, or spending time with my three small dogs, two aussie doodles and the cutest miniature poodle on the planet! (well I could be biased maybe)
